July 13, 2012 — Tuesday morning marked the beginning of the annual Rowan County Lady Vikings soccer camp.
Future Viking and Lady Viking hopefuls spent the morning running and gunning, while learning fundamental skills needed to excel on the field.
The camp runs until Friday, with grades 2-8 storming the field at the new RCMS soccer field from 9 to 11:30 a.m.
With over twenty local kids participating, Rowan County Girls Soccer Head Coach Randy Wallace said he was pleased with the turnout of this year’s camp.
“It was kind of a spur of the moment kind of deal when we decided to put this thing on this year,” Wallace said. “We wanted to get the word out through as many media outlets as possible and I think it really helped to make a difference. Overall, it makes me happy to see kids taking an interest in soccer here in Rowan County.”
With help from current and former Lady Viking players, as well as the coaching staff, participants hit up several stations consisting of defensive, shooting and passing drills.
This week’s camp places a heavy emphasis on teaching the fundamentals of soccer; something the Lady Vikings’ coach says is essential to the development of kids coming up through the ranks.
“This has been good for not only the kids participating, but my girls who are helping out as well,” Wallace said. “Simple things like ball handling, proper defensive tactics, these can truly make a difference in a player. We are trying to get in touch with the young kids before they get to the middle school. It’s great for them to get a lot of one-on-one time with the older girls to help them learn about the game at an early age.”
Perhaps one of the most important aspects associated with a camp is its representation of future players who are to rise through the ranks and into the program.
Wallace said having a strong backbone for your program can ultimately decide its fate, and he is glad to see the beginnings of a promising future for Rowan soccer.
“A strong feeder program is very important when you start talking about the longevity of success,” Wallace said. “This program has come a long way recently, and these kids that come out here and participate are the future of it.”
Wallace wrapped things up with a comment about his hopes for the future of soccer camps associated with Rowan County.
“I want this community to be excited about soccer. It’s going very well thus far, and if it stays that way, we hope to build on this in the years to come. We want this camp to grow, then we can hopefully combine with the boys and use a united effort to put on a camp, pulling them out to help as well.”
Grant Stevens can be reached at gstevens@themoreheadnews.com or by telephone at 784-4116.
